A REMARKABKLE KINGFISHER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 32, 6 February 1879, Page 6

A REMARKABKLE KINGFISHER.

The "Adelaide News "gives some interesting particulars respecting a member of the family of Kingfisher? — a family including over 50 epeo.ies — ■ known as " the laughing jackass." It Js s large bird of its kind, being 18in loo?* and is endowed with great ttrangth and courage, its powerful bill making it a really formidable enemy. It feeds indiscriminately on any animals of suitable Bize, whether quadruped, bird, reptile, 6sb, insect, or crustacean. The laagbing jackass ia a handsome bird, being brightly colored, and hie appearance and extraordinary note are familiar to the inhabitants of <e*e*y couotry village. Indeed, be frequently exteoda his researches into the neighbourhood of towns, occasionally taking up his abode for life in some healthy suburb, sod punctually entertaining (he inhabitants thereof morning and evening with a succession of those singular sounds which have rendered hia frame famous. Although a kingfisher, be Sever procures his food from the water after the orthodox fashion of king. fishers, bat has more the habits of a bird of prey c Sitting motionless among the lower branches of come email gum tree unnoticed, and apparently half asleep, he waits, like Micawber, for ■something to turn up. Suddenly, and without noiso, he drops off bj 8 bough, and flies direct to a certain spot, whence he soon returns, bearing in his beak a lisard, a email soake, or perhaps a rat. His acuienessof sight is extraordinary. From his elevated post be seems to miss nothing, end discerns his prey in swamps and crevices of rocks at a distance that is perfectly astounding. The laughing jackass has the advantage of being able to live on almost anything that presents itself ; hence it is always in good condition, and apparently in good humor. It seems indeed to pass its life in eelf-congratuations • and when four or five meet and unita their voice?, and they invariably do, morning, and evening, the noise would suggest the idea that a party cf demons had broken loose, and were rejuicing over some piece of successful mischief. But in spite of his careless, happy life, the laughing jackasa has his peculiar duty, and he performs it conscientiously. Snake killing, is his specialty : lizards, frogs, beetles, small birde, rats, etc,, are bis usual food. In fact, nothing come 6 amiss to him; let a snake appear upon the scene, and the laughing jackas recognises bis quarry at once. Never hesitating, he makes straight for it, his agitation being observable by the quivering creßt feathers. With come caution he swoops backwards and forwards, seeking an opportunity to seize the reptile. The snake, with head erect, ready to strike, keeps on the alert. Tbe excitement continues for some time till tbe bird finally settles down, close by, on the ground. Bat all his stolid heavy appearance is gone. His wings and tail quiver with agitation and eager, ness. Fully alive to the dangerous character of his opponent, he keeps at a late distance. Flitting round his head just oat of reach, be continues to annoy him, till becoming exhausted, the snake affords him the opportunity be is seeking. With tbe rapidity of lightning . the birds descends upon his prey, then rises ia the air, bearing with him the captored snake, neatly held just behind the head, in such a position as to render him perfectly powerless. Rising until he has attained a considerable height, he directs hia flight to a more open part of

the country, then suddenly bickiag in the ai«- t he drop's the repii.e, following it down and reaching the ground almost at the s<jme tima. Stunned and bruised, the unfortunate 6ahk« ia io no condition to renew the contest, and is very soon despatched and eiten by hia victorious i enemy.